VIDEO: Gibson Shines Bright In Shutout; Vermette Suspended 10 Games

By: Matthew Garcia

This was the third and final meeting of the season between the Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild, as well as the final stop on Anaheim’ssix-gamee road trip. Neither of which have been very good for the Ducks. Anaheim has dropped their first two meetings this season against the Wild, the first one back on January the eighth which saw the Wild collect a 2-1 win in Boudreau’s return to Anaheim since being fired at the end of last season, the second meeting in Minnesota that saw Anaheim fall by a final of 5-3. Anaheim has gone 1-3-1 so far on this road trip and will look to get back in the win column before returning home to Anaheim to take on the Panthers on Friday. John Gibson would get the start in net for Anaheim, while Devan Dubnyk will start for Minnesota.

Period 1:

The Ducks hit the ground running in Minnesota, and got on the board early as they were able to get the puck deep, and on net where Joseph Cramarossa would be sniffing around and spot a small rebound left right in front of Dubnyk that he chipped up and over the pad to give Anaheim a 1-0 lead just 04:38 into the first period. Minnesota would be awarded the first power play of the game as Nick Ritchie would drag down Nino Niederreiter with a hook to prevent a breakaway, Minnesota’s power play has been red-hot at home recently going 4-for-7 in their last two games and will get a chance to continue that trend. The Ducks would be successful in killing off the penalty, and Gibson would come up huge as he would turn aside five power play shots to keep the Ducks in the lead. Minnesota would feed off of the power play chance as they would carry a majority of the play out-shooting Anaheim 5-2 after the conclusion of the first power play. Minnesota’s high tempo play would eventually draw another penalty, this time against Cam Fowler for holding. Anaheim would once again kill off the penalty only allowing one shot on goal during the power play chance for the Wild. The first period horn would sound and Anaheim would take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Period 2:

The second period would begin how the first period ended, Minnesota would come out of the gates swinging peppering Gibson early, and often as they would get seven shots on goal within the first seven minutes and have carried most of the play through the first half of the period letting Anaheim shoot just once against Dubnyk. Anaheim would continue to weather the storm as Minnesota would continue the onslaught against Gibson, the Ducks would make a mistake as Kevin Bieksa would inadvertently clear the puck over the glass receiving a delay of game penalty. Gibson would come up huge at the beginning of the power play as he would slam the door on an Eric Staal slap shot from right above the face-off circle. Anaheim would kill of their third penalty of the night remaining perfect against the Wild’s number three ranked power play. The Ducks would continue their parade to the penalty box as Ryan Getzlaf would receive a minor penalty with just over two minutes left in the second for hooking. However, Anaheim would continue to stand tall on the penalty kill as they would successfully kill off their fourth straight penalty to remain perfect on the night. Second period horn sounds with Anaheim still leading 1-0.

Period 3:

The third period begins as Anaheim continues to defend against an offensive onslaught from a Minnesota Wild team that is looking to draw even, and early. Minnesota would once again get that chance as Cramarossa would take a bad penalty in the offensive zone for tripping against Christian Folin. The Wild would spend the entire two minutes in the Ducks’ zone, though they would ultimately be unable to convert despite numerous opportunities, and the best one coming right after the penalty expires as Folin would blast one-off the inside goal post and wide. Anaheim would ride some momentum after their fifth consecutive penalty kill getting two grade A chances that Dubnyk would turn aside despite being down in his own goal crease. Anaheim would receive some more bad news as Antoine Vermette was issued a game misconduct for abuse of officials, as he would give the linesman a slash showing some frustration. The Ducks received some very rare zone time in this game and got some good looks against Dubnyk but would not be able to convert to help seal the deal in the game having one good shot ring off the post, and Jakob Silfverberg who would rip a shot on goal that Dubnyk would glove down to keep the game to within one. The third period horn would sound and the Ducks would hold on for the shutout victory. Final shots on goal, Minnesota 37 – Anaheim 23.

Final Score: Anaheim-1 Minnesota-0

Analysis: 

The Ducks jumped out of the gate early as Cramarossa would get the Ducks on the board very early, surprisingly that would be the only goal of the game as John Gibson stood tall in his crease turning away all 37 shots that the Wild put on net. Gibson needed to play lights out against a high-octane Minnesota team that has been shutout only two times this season. The Ducks really let Minnesota have their way with them as they were defending a majority of the game and not able to muster up any offense other than the goal early in the first period, but they were able to hold on for the win. The Ducks were in a lot of penalty trouble throughout the game as they went shorthanded a total of five times, though the were able to kill off all five of those penalties to help seal the victory.

In other news, Anaheim was without the services of the best face-off leader in the NHL as Vermette would be tossed out of the game midway through the third period for his slash on linesman Shandor Alphonso. The Ducks will also be without out him for 10 games as he was suspended by the NHL today per NHL Rule 40.3.

NHL Rule 40.3 – Category II, Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an offical in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games. 

Vermette can appeal the automatic 10 game suspension. Commissioner Gary Bettman would hear the appeal. The suspension could be increased, decreased, or upheld. Here is a video of the play.

Player/Team Notes:

Tonight marked the most saves (37) by an opposing goalie (John Gibson) in a shutout of the Wild since 2008.

The Ducks sealed their first win against former coach Bruce Boudreau.

What’s Next?

The Florida Panthers could to Anaheim to visit the Ducks on Friday, February 17th at 7PM PT.

For more highlights of the game, click below.

Want to be an Editor or Writer? Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team

February 15, 2017

Filed under: Ducks News Tagged: Anaheim Ducks, ducksnpucks, minnesota wild